Frequently AskedQuestions

General Questions

1. In case we lost you at "cold-pressed..."

...Cold pressing is the healthiest way we know of to make juice. It means using hydraulic pressure to extract liquid from plants without denaturing enzymes or damaging nutrients with high levels of heat or oxidation. Our hydraulic presses coax every colourful, delicious drop of juice from our organic ingredients while keeping their health-giving properties intact. The result is a vibrant, raw juice that stays fresh for three to seven days.

By contrast, more common centrifugal juicers use a rapidly spinning metal blade to separate juice from fruit and vegetable solids. This method not only extracts juice that that is less dense with vitamins, minerals, and enzymes than cold-pressed juice, but the spinning blade also brings high temperatures and oxidation into the equation, changing the juice's chemistry and hastening its deterioration.

2. What does plant-based mean?

When we say that our products are plant-based we mean that they're made from plants. Just plants. Lots of plants: It takes roughly 1kg of raw vegetables and fruit to fill a 500ml bottle with cold-pressed juice.

Eating and drinking more plants, more often, is a simple, accessible, and downright delicious way to spark healthy change in our lives, and in the world.

3. Are your juices organic?

Yes. We only press organic produce, meaning that it is grown without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides to make juice that is naturally delicious, residue-free, and sustainable.

4. Do you source your ingredients locally?

We purchase our produce directly from local, organic farms whenever we can. During the Ontario growing season, from late summer through to the first frost, the majority of our ingredients are locally sourced. In the depths of winter, or when it comes to more exotic ingredients like citrus and pineapple, we are careful to source our ingredients from organic farmers who care as much about the quality of their produce and the size of their environmental footprint as we do.

5. What do you mean when you say your juices are raw? Unpasteurized? No HPP­?

When we say that our juices are raw, we mean that they have not been subjected to high temperatures in the juicing process, pasteurized, or treated with high pressure processing (HPP).

Pasteurization is a process whereby a food or drink product is brought to a very high temperature for a short period of time, and then immediately cooled down. This process kills off potentially harmful bacteria and slows the microbial growth that causes things to go bad, thereby reducing the risk of contamination and increasing shelf life. Pasteurization has many positive applications. However, it kills off healthy life forms along with harmful ones, reducing much of the juice the world consumes today to the fruit and vegetable equivalent of a zombie.

HPP, sometimes called pascalization, is an alternative to pasteurization. Instead of heat, this process uses pressure to inactivate flora and prolong shelf life. During HPP, sealed plastic bottles of juice are placed in a large machine and subjected to extreme pressure transmitted by water. This technique extends a juice's best-before date by up to sixty days while preserving more health and taste benefits than pasteurization. However, it requires that juice be bottled in plastic, because the degree of pressure applied would shatter glass bottles.

We use neither process. Our juice is raw, with no additives or preservatives. This makes for a powerfully healthy product–and with great power comes great responsibility. In order to maintain the freshness, quality, and safety of our products, they must be kept refrigerated at or below 4°C at all times. Furthermore, they may not be suitable for pregnant women, infants, or anyone who avoids raw products. Please consult with your doctor before determining whether consuming raw, unpasteurized juice is safe for you.

6. How long do your products last, and do they need to be stored in the fridge?

It is very important that our products are always kept refrigerated at or below 4°C. When properly refrigerated, our Cold-Pressed Juices, Nut Milks, Boosters, and Lemonades last for between three and seven days, depending on their ingredients. Lemony products have a lower pH and naturally last longer; Nut Milks have a higher pH and spoil faster. Our Probiotic Tonics are fermented, and thus stay fresh for 30 days. Please look for the "enjoy before" sticker on the bottom of your bottle to determine the date of that product.

As outlined above, our products are raw, with enzymatic life intact. As such, the cold chain is vital in maintaining their freshness, quality, and safety. From our production facility to our refrigerated delivery vehicles and the fridges in our stores, we always keep our products at or below 4°C. We ask that you please do the same. They must not be left out on the counter, in a hot car, or in any other unrefrigerated situation for a prolonged period of time. If our products are allowed to reach room temperature, they may spoil before the stated "best before date," and they may no longer be safe to consume.

When the temperature outside is above 1°C, juice ordered through our website will arrive in a reusable cardboard box with ice packs. These ice packs will keep the juice cold for one to three hours, depending on the ambient temperature. As soon as you receive the delivery, please take the juices out of the box and place them in the fridge. The box and ice packs can be returned to us or reused!

7. Why are your products bottled in glass?

Between California and Hawaii, just beneath the surface of the North Pacific Ocean, sits a concentrated patch of garbage that is estimated to be the size of Texas. Most of it is plastic. Our worst nightmare is to add to it, or to the other patches of marine debris that exist in all of our oceans. Glass lasts longer than plastic and is not porous like plastic, so you can wash it and reuse it over and over again without losing its shape or absorbing colours or odours.

Furthermore, studies have shown that chemicals used in even the safest kinds of plastic bottles break down and leach into the water or juice they are carrying, especially if the bottle is exposed to heat or sunlight. We think it would be counterproductive to painstakingly press a live juice that is as good for you as possible, only to serve it in a container that leaks toxins into your body.

Okay, enough moralizing for today—time to point out the obvious. Glass is better tasting, better looking, and better feeling than plastic. Don't you think?

8. What should I do with my empty glass bottles?

Delivery and subscription customers, please leave your rinsed, empty bottles, your delivery box, and ice packs on your doorstep at the time of your next delivery, and we will pick them up and add points to your account for in-store redemptions. Alternatively, you are most welcome to bring them back to one of our locations that accepts bottle returns, and we will add them to your account there!

9. Your prices are kind of steep. Please explain.

Yes, we know, our juices are pricey—but we're not trying to pull a fast one on you. We are committed to making the highest quality, most delicious, healthiest, and most sustainable plant-based products on the market. This is an expensive proposition. Here are a few of the reasons why it's so darned expensive (and also—we think—worth it).

It takes roughly 1kg of raw produce to fill a 500ml bottle with cold-pressed juice. That's a lot of kale. Make that organic kale. These ingredients cost several times more than their conventional counterparts, and prices fluctuate widely throughout the year. However, we are committed to delivering the healthiest, most sustainable product possible, and our decision to juice organic produce is a pillar of that promise. Our products are raw, enzymatically active, and have a short shelf life. We receive fresh produce daily and press all of our juices nightly in small batches. This is labour-intensive, and requires careful planning to mitigate waste. But it allows us to offer the healthiest and most delicious product possible. Glass is more expensive than plastic, but we prefer it for environmental, health, and taste reasons. We'll stop there, because we can hear your tiny violin playing. The last thing we'll say on this matter is that every time we improve our production efficiency, we reduce our prices. We've recently dropped the price of our Cleanses, and of several of our individual products. Making our juices more accessible is important to us, and we are working on it. But we must always balance this goal with our commitments to quality, taste, health, and sustainability.

10. Are any of your juices good for hangovers?

How astute of you to ask! Most of our juices are helpful for hangovers. Here are a few blog posts on the subject:

11. I've heard that all fruit juice is bad for you because it contains nothing but sugar. Is that true?

This is true of many of the processed juices you will find at the grocery store, which contain little to none of the natural goodness of the fruit and vegetables from which they derive, but all of the sugar (and often more added on top of that)! That is not the case with our juice.

The naturally occurring sugars in the juices that we extract from our ingredients with our hydraulic presses are accompanied by the live enzymes, antioxidants, and other nutrients that you would get from eating the raw fruit or vegetable, which offer you a lot more than a quick rush.

12. What are antioxidants, anyway?

A natural chemical process called oxidation takes place in your body every day. This process can be compared to the chemical reaction that causes metal to rust or the surface of a cut apple to turn brown. Getting stressed out, drinking too much alcohol, or smoking cigarettes can accelerate oxidation. Disrupting the natural oxidation process can result in the creation of highly unstable and potentially destructive molecules called free radicals.

The formation of these molecules is triggered by oxygen, and if their production is left uncontrolled and exceeds your body's protective defences, they can damage your cells. Cell damage caused by free radicals is a suspected factor in several diseases including cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's, arthritis, cataracts, diabetes, kidney disease, and age-related blindness.

Fortunately, the human body has a natural defence against free radicals: antioxidants. These are molecules that can safely interact with free radicals to intervene in their path of destruction before too much cell damage is done.

Antioxidants come in many different forms, both as naturally occurring enzyme systems in the body and as vitamins (C and E), minerals (selenium and manganese), and plant compounds (beta carotene and lycopene). Many plant foods are good sources of antioxidants, and the best way to arm your body with the variety of these molecules needed to fight free radicals is to infuse your diet with vegetables and fruit of every colour of the rainbow.

13. Can your juices be used as a meal replacement?

We are big advocates of what we call "recreational juicing," which we define as drinking cold-pressed juice whenever the mood strikes—instead of that mid-morning coffee, say, or in that afternoon lull when you might be craving something sweet. We don't tend to think of it as a meal replacement.

Having said that, the answer to this question depends a great deal on the individual. Some people will find that a nutrient-dense juice or nut milk makes for a filling and convenient occasional substitute for a more substantial breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Either way, integrating cold-pressed juices into your daily routine will help to keep you healthy, balanced, and energized.

We do not advocate replacing food with juice altogether—perish the thought! There is no substitute for insoluble fibre-containing, soul-replenishing food. However, if you're looking to detoxify, break bad habits, and give your body a rest, you might opt to try our cleanse program.

14. Where can I find the nutritional information for your juices?

The nutritional information for products can be found at the bottom of the individual product pages. To learn more about The Giver, simply click on this product on our shop page.

15. I've heard talk of your Smoothies, Hot Drinks, and Soups. Where can I find those?

You are quite right—we do offer an array of made to order Superfood Smoothies, Hot Drinks, and Soups in some of our shops. Visit our locations page to find out which stores have Smoothie Stations and Hot Bars.

16. What are kombucha and kefir water?

Kombucha is a probiotic beverage produced by fermenting sweetened tea with live cultures. Kefir water is a probiotic beverage cultivated using kefir water grains. Both are dairy free.

17. Hold on... what is a probiotic?

Foods and drinks that are "probiotic" contain live cultures that are good for your gut. Inside each of us is a microbiome, or a community of good and bad bacteria that outnumber our cells ten to one. The live cultures in probiotics help the "good guys" to thrive. These good guys assist in breaking down our food, producing vitamins, and crowding out the "bad guys," or sickness-causing bacteria. A healthy gut has been linked to improved digestion, weight management, healthy skin, strengthened immunity, and improved mood.

18. What is the weird slimy thing in my kombucha?

That's the mother or SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast). It is the HQ of the good bacteria in your kombucha. It's harmless, but you can certainly remove it if you don't like the texture. There isn't a mother in every bottle—if you get one you're extra special.

19. Is it true that you have an app?

The Greenhouse Membership App allows you to earn points when purchasing juice or returning bottles in several of our locations. This is our way of thanking you for being a loyal member of our community!

Our app has three membership levels. Everyone starts out as a "Recreational Juicer," where you'll collect points on every dollar you spend, and on every rinsed 250ml or 500ml bottle you return. Once you reach 2,000 points (the equivalent of buying and returning ten bottles), you'll receive a 250ml bottle on the house.

If you drink juice often enough, you'll reach level two, "Daily Juicer," where you'll receive a 500ml juice or smoothie on the house when you reach 2,000 points. If you're a black belt juicer, you'll eventually become a "Household Member," where you'll keep receiving a 500ml juice or smoothie each time you hit 2,000 points, AND we'll invite you to insider events at every opportunity.

* Sadly our app is not integrated with the point of sale system at our Pusateri's locations, nor is it integrated with our online store just yet. This means you cannot use your points to spend on purchases placed through our website. We're working on it! In the meantime, send us an email at delivery@greenhouse.ca and we'll explain our work-around.

20. How do you seek to minimize Greenhouse's environmental impact?

Minimizing our environmental impact is a central factor in every decision we make. Our commitment to using organic produce in our products is rooted in our support of sustainable, non-toxic growing practices, and the healthy crops these practices yield. We purchase a large proportion of our produce directly from local, organic farms, prioritizing “seconds,” or the misshapen vegetables and fruits that often end up in landfills whenever we can. We select the greenest packaging options available to us, keeping the waste disposal capabilities of our municipality in mind at all times. Our juice bottles are made from recycable glass rather than porous PET. We use electric vehicles, and employ energy-efficient production methods. As articulated in our company mission and in the set of values shared with every new team member, we believe in making it simple to savour the present while looking out for a healthy future—ours, and that of our planet.

Cleanses Questions

1. Why cleanse?

Cleansing is a way of clearing the clutter from your system, and pressing reset. It can help you take stock of your current nutritional habits, and determine where there is room for improvement. Even if you’re already careful to avoid processed foods and drinks, stress and pollution can wreak havoc on your system, clouding both your body and your mind. Done properly, a cleanse can improve your digestion and charge you with renewed (and renewable) energy.

We offer three tiers of nutritionist-approved cleanses (outlined here), that you can follow for a single day, or for as many days as you wish. We recommend one to three days for a first cleanse. You should emerge from your cleanse clear-headed, light on your feet, and with a new spring in your step.

2. Hold on just a second – are you doctors?

No, we are not doctors. This is not a medically guided cleanse. Please consult your doctor if you are concerned about whether a cleanse would be safe for you.

3. Can anyone cleanse?

We don’t believe that cleansing is ideal for everyone. We do not recommend cleansing if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or under 18 years of age. If you have a medical condition, are on prescription medication, or have any doubts about whether cleansing would be safe for you, we strongly advise that you speak with your doctor.

4. Is cleansing a “quick fix”?

Unfortunately there is no such thing as a quick fix in the nutrition world; day-to-day habits are the most important determinant of long-term results. If you enter a cleanse with the mindset that it’s a quick, isolated event that will result in long-term magic, it may well prove disappointing. Instead of viewing a cleanse as a quick fix, we recommend looking at it as a way to instigate positive changes that will result in long-term benefits. Cleansing allows us to examine what we put into our bodies and how it makes us feel. This can lead to conquering cravings, identifying foods we may be sensitive to, and establishing new habits that can help us feel our best in the long term.

5. Is cleansing the only way to truly benefit from juice?

Absolutely not! We’re big advocates of what we call recreational juicing. We define this as drinking juice whenever the mood strikes, because it tastes good, it makes you feel good, and it’s good for you. Replacing your mid-morning or mid-afternoon coffee or snack with a green juice is a very sustainable way to begin integrating juicing into your daily rhythm.

6. How should I prepare for my cleanse?

We recommend using the days leading up to your cleanse to prepare your body for this change by phasing out processed foods, added sugar, refined flour, alcohol, dairy, and meat three to five days before you begin. We also suggest eliminating or reducing caffeine intake. If the prospect of going a few days without coffee is making you jumpy, try switching to green tea or matcha during the pre-cleanse. Our Spicy Lemonade Hydrator (in the Gentle and Standard Cleanses) is made with a tiny amount of green tea— not enough to harm your adrenals, but enough to help ease the transition during the cleanse. It sounds draconian, we know, but the more work you do before your cleanse the easier you will find it, and the more transformative the results will be.

During this “pre-cleanse” period, make fresh vegetables the centerpiece of each meal. Snack on nuts and seeds, and anchor your veggies with healthy fats, legumes, and whole grains like brown rice and quinoa. Drink plenty of water, and begin introducing one to three juices (particularly green juices) into your daily routine. Looking for some recipe inspiration? Visit our blog for a host of plant-based, nutrient-rich recipes that are perfect for your pre-cleanse period. Here are some of our other favourite recipe blogs:

7. Is this going to hurt?

We know that going one or more days without solid food is a daunting prospect. You’re making a major change to your diet—any trepidation you might feel at the outset is entirely normal. However, we believe that this will be far easier and more enjoyable than you fear. Our cleanses are designed to flood you with all of the nutrients your body needs in a delicious, convenient format, and our goal is to offer you as painless and rewarding an experience as possible.

If you feel hungry during your cleanse, there is no rule against eating something! Please remember: this is a set of guidelines, not a strict regime. We recommend something simple like vegetable soup, steamed vegetables, or a green smoothie. Take cues from your body, and do what feels right for you.

8. Can I work while cleansing?

Yes. There is a common misconception that you will spend the duration of your cleanse sprawled on a settee with cucumber slices over your eyes. This should not be the case. If you prepare yourself properly and ease into it, you should be able to go about your normal life. However, do schedule your cleanse at a time when you can listen to your body’s needs and follow them. Your busiest and most stressful week of the year would not be the ideal time for a cleanse!

9. Do I need to drink the cleanse juices in a certain order?

The order in which the cleanse juices are listed is not arbitrary. A Hydrator helps to wake you and your metabolism up first thing in the morning, and set your digestion on the right path; E3 Live gives you mental clarity right when you may be lagging; green juices charge you with nutrients for your day; Almond Milk satiates you when you may be feeling peckish; YYZ provides vitamin C; root-based juices ground you toward the end of your day; and Chia Seed Hydrator helps with elimination, and gives you a feeling of fullness before bed. Having said all that, if you do not want to finish one of your juices, or if you feel the need for some Almond Milk at 10am, listen to those signals! Again, think of our cleanse guide as a set of suggestions, not as a strict regime.

10. Can I drink water while cleansing?

Yes. Staying hydrated while cleansing is extremely important. Drink water between each of your juices.

11. I can still have my morning coffee and evening glass of wine, right?

Afraid not. Mean, we know! But hear us out—part of the goal of a cleanse is to give our systems a break from these delightful but not always helpful liquids. If the prospect of going a few days without coffee is making you jumpy, try switching to green tea or matcha during the pre-cleanse; this should help you transition into the intervening cleanse phase.

12. Can I smoke while cleansing?

We don't recommend it. (Come on, you knew we were going to say that!)

13. Can I drink herbal tea?

Yes! Drink herbal tea throughout the day. This is especially advisable if it is chilly outside. You may find that cleansing causes your inner thermometer to drop, and it’s important to keep yourself warm.

14. Can I exercise while cleansing?

Yes, it is important to keep moving while you are cleansing, but take it easy. You may find that you have a great deal of energy, but be careful not to overdo it. Try replacing high-intensity cardio with a walk, a swim, or a restorative yoga class.

15. Is it dangerous to cleanse during the winter?

We do not believe that there is a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It depends on factors including your age, your current level of health, and the amount of time you plan to be spending outdoors during your cleanse. If you do decide to cleanse before spring has fully sprung, be sure to wear cozy layers (including a scarf!), sip herbal tea, and keep yourself warm.

16. How should I transition out of my cleanse?

You should ease out of your cleanse in the same way that you eased into it. That means keeping processed foods, refined flour and sugar, alcohol, caffeine, dairy, and meat out of your diet for at least the first few days (or as long as possible), and prioritizing vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, and nuts.

Your first few meals should be small and easy to digest, such as a smoothie for breakfast, a light salad or a vegetable soup for lunch, and steamed vegetables with some quinoa or brown rice for dinner. Eat slowly, and chew carefully. Drink lots of water, and continue drinking one to three juices per day. Take your cleanse as an opportunity to discard destructive old habits and form healthier ones. You’ll feel better for it.

17. One of my favourite juices is not in the cleanse. Can I substitute it in?

Unfortunately we cannot accommodate substitutions to our pre-set cleanse programs. If you would like to create a custom cleanse or partial cleanse, please fill your crate with selected juices and nut milks and proceed to checkout.

18. What if I have questions during my cleanse?

19. How are multiple-day cleanses delivered?

We deliver 2- and 3-day cleanses in one delivery.

*NOTICE: Greenhouse Juice Co. is NOT licensed to practice medicine; we are NOT a medical doctor; we do NOT give medical advice; this is NOT medical advice. If you need medical advice please seek out a professional medical doctor; nothing on this website shall be construed as medical advice. DISCLAIMER: It is advisable to seek professional [medical] advice prior to initiating any new regimen. Greenhouse Juice Co. is NOT a medical organization and neither Greenhouse Juice Co. nor its employees and/or staff can give any medical advice or diagnosis. Any/All information garnered from Greenhouse Juice Co. shall NOT be interpreted as a substitute for medical advice or a doctor’s consultation, evaluation or treatment.

Delivery and Subscription Questions

1. Help! I’m not going to be home, or I’ll be sound asleep, when my juice is set to arrive. Do I need to put it in the fridge right away?

We do a large number of our home delivery drops in the wee hours of the morning, but don’t worry—we don’t expect you to set an alarm for us. We won’t ring the doorbell unless you’ve expressly asked us to do so. All of our products are packaged in delivery boxes with ice packs to keep the juice cool for a few hours—just don’t leave them on your stoop all day, especially if it’s hot. Because our juices are raw, they must be kept at or below 4°C at all times, so please refrigerate them once you’re awake, or as soon as you get home.

2. I live in an apartment building—will you still be able to get me my juice?

Of course! We simply ask that you leave drop-off instructions that are as detailed as possible in the Delivery Instructions section of the checkout. If you’d like your order left with a concierge or building manager, or if our driver will require a buzzer code to gain access to your apartment or office building, please let us know.

3. Can I request a specific drop-off time for my delivery?

Unfortunately not. During checkout, you will be prompted to select a delivery window. Your order will arrive within this window. Because our delivery team members cover a lot of ground in a short period of time, their routes are mapped according to efficiency; unfortunately this means that we cannot promise that your order will arrive at a specific time within the specified window.

4. I’m outside your delivery zone. Can you make an exception?

We are sorry to disappoint you, friend, but our delivery routes run on a tight schedule, and thus do not allow for any deviations. However, we are always working to expand our reach; please send us an email at delivery@greenhouse.ca if you would like to see your neighbourhood added to our map! In the meantime, you are most welcome to place a pre-order for pick up at any of our shops next time you are in the neighbourhood. Visit our locations page to select your preferred shop, and then give our store team a shout. They’d be happy to help. Psst: You can also take a glance at our wholesale partners—we have a few friends beyond the GTA.

5. Can I send juice as a gift?

That’s a very generous idea! We highly encourage the gifting of juice, and we’d be happy to help you shower your friends and family with healthy gifts, and commemorate any and every occasion. Simply enter the name and delivery address of your lucky recipient at checkout, and we’ll help you spread some good cheer. If you’d like us to be the ones to alert your giftee to the presence of juice on his or her doorstep, please send us an email at delivery@greenhouse.ca.

6. Do you do juices for large parties or corporate events?

We do, indeed! For information about adding juice to your next event, or for information about corporate cleanses, tasting parties, and more, email us at hello@greenhouse.ca.

7. I ordered juice this morning, and I think I’d like more soon. How do I make this a regular thing?

We’re so glad you asked! We now offer juice subscriptions so you can receive the same order every week, every other week, or every month—automagically! To turn your order into a subscription, simply select the delivery frequency of your choice during checkout. You’ll be asked to create an account, which will allow you to then skip an order if you’re going to be out of town, or cancel your subscription any time.

8. I’ll be out of town for my next delivery. Can I skip it? How?

Absolutely! Click on "My Account" in the top right corner of our website by 2pm the day before your order is due to arrive to skip your upcoming delivery.

9. Will I get fresh juice with my order?

Yes, your juices will be made to order.

10. Can I use a gift card for my delivery?

At this time, our Greenhouse Gift Cards are only available for purchase and redemption at our own store locations. We’re sorry!

11. Can I get points for my delivery order?

While our Membership App is not yet synched with orders placed through our online shop, we do have a workaround: please leave your rinsed empty bottles (along with the delivery crate and ice packs) outside at the time of your next delivery. We will double count all bottles returned through our home delivery program—this works out to roughly the same point value as our in-store program.

12. There was a problem with my order. What gives? And who can I talk to?

Oh, no! We are so sorry to hear that. Please give us a call at (416) 277-0679 or send an email to delivery@greenhouse.ca, and let us know what went wrong.